The George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB)a 1.1 million-square-foot behemoth designed by Golemon Architectsopened in 1987 on the eastern edge of downtown Houston.Later, a series of large buildings went up around it, including ones by Arquitectonica (Hilton AmericasHouston Hotel), Gensler (1600 Lamar Avenue and 1510 Polk Avenue), and HOK (Toyota Center). Discovery Green, a park by Hargreave Jones, completed in 2011, the same year Gensler issued a masterplan for the convention district. Now, a slew of firms are getting in on the action. Hines will serve as development manager, Populous as architect of record, Jacobs Advance Planning Group as landscape architect, and Gilbane | Flintco as construction manager on an initiative to upgrade the area surrounding GRB. The plan involves renovation work on the 1987 structure, and adding a 700,000-square-foot expansion to it dubbed GRB Houston South. Gensler is revisiting its original masterplan to improve Houstons Convention District, the 60-block area that surrounds the George R. Brown Convention Center.The $2 billion transformation project is being helmed by the Houston Mayors Office and Houston First Corporation, the citys economic development group. It comes ahead of two major events in Houstonthe 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Republican National Convention.Gensler is simultaneously developing its original master plan to improve Houstons Convention District. (Courtesy Houston First)Renderings show the expansion topped with a slatted wood roof, and the central foyer washed in sunlight. A press release from Houston First said the architecture is inspired by Houstons bayous and native prairie landscape, featuring natural tones, warm wood accents and vegetation throughout.The building incorporates low-carbon materials, high-efficiency building systems with rainwater collection and water-reduction strategies, and native landscaping in a new expansive living roof, with potential solar integration, Houston First added. These efforts will reduce the buildings environmental footprint, enhance the citys resilience and create an inclusive gathering space for generations of Houstonians.Wooden roof membranes make up the ceiling system. (Courtesy Houston First)Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Houston First Corporation shared details of the project on March 6. The vision recasts the Convention District as a hybrid residential, hotel, office, retailing, dining and entertainment development fueled by a future east-west Metro light rail line. This expansion will provide access to the Toyota Center thanks to a new 100,000-square-foot pedestrian plaza. The project is broken up into phases.New public spaces will accompany the addition. (Courtesy Houston First)Phase one of the master plan expands the George R. Brown Convention Center. The addition will have two exhibit halls, a multipurpose hall connected to a new central plaza, an atrium flex hall, and retail and dining options, and last but not least, the largest ballroom in all of Texas.Michael Heckman, Houston First CEO and president, said the ambitious project is essential for Houston to stay competitive and meet the needs of our meetings and convention customers.The addition will have massive halls for mixed-use programming. (Courtesy Houston First)Mayor Whitmire said the plan will build community, foster connection, and shape the future of Houston.Phase one, or GRB Houston South, is slated to open in May 2028, and the full project tis slated for completion by 2038.